OFFICIALS of West Lancashire College were joined by key partners to celebrate the official opening of the college’s state-of-the art £2m Construction, Engineering and Logistics Centre in Skelmersdale.

Members of the college management team were joined by governors, local employers, stakeholders and colleagues, who have supported the development of the new centre.

Mark Whitworth, chief executive officer of Peel Ports Group and chair of the College Board, officially opened the centre, and visitors were given a tour of the new facility.

The new centre provides facilities in which carpenters, bricklayers, electricians, engineers, motor mechanics, logistics operatives, plasterers and plumbers of the future can learn their skills in realistic working environments.

The college has said it’s “crucial” that they cater for the needs of the young people and adults of the region, enabling them to gain the vocational skills that employers expect.

Principal, Denise Williamson, said: “Our vision is to create a centre of excellence in construction, engineering and logistics. We offer an extensive range of new training programmes that meet the needs of the area and enhance our current offer, including new provision in warehousing, business logistics, driving goods vehicles and clean engineering.

“We have some world-class manufacturing, logistics and engineering companies in the area and our new innovative centre will specialise in courses to meet industry needs and ensure that students develop the confidence and skills to walk straight into a career.

“I am delighted that our new centre is now officially open and would like to thank Mark Whitworth, chair of the College Board and CEO of Peel Ports Group who performed the official opening, as well as the College Board members and NCG who have supported us in this exciting development.”

Mark Whitworth, added: “I was very pleased to officially open the Construction, Engineering & Logistics Centre. The college is committed to becoming a centre of excellence for logistics and the new facilities are central to the delivery of this objective.”